Apparatus for playing musical instruments

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for playing a stringed musical instrument, for example an electric guitar, the apparatus comprising at least one rotatable member adapted for location on the instrument adjacent a string, manually operable means adapted bodily to move the member into peripheral contact with its adjacent string, and means for rotating the member when in such peripheral contact. The rotating means is continuously driven in use of the apparatus. A plurality of rotatable members may be provided in the form of wheels which can be brought into engagement with respective strings and a single shaft continuously driven by an electric motor.

United States Patent Godley et al.

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Inventors: Kevin MichaelGodley, 25 Sheepfoot Ln., Manchester; Laurence Neil Creme, WhiteCottage, White Fo'ld, New Mills, both of England Filed: Mar. 27, 1974Appl. No.: 455,424

Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 25, 1973 United Kingdom l9760/73US. Cl. 84/320 Int. Cl. Gl0d 3/16 Field of Search 84/320, 79,

Pomero 84/256 l,74l,948 12/1929 Munger 84/256 Primary Examiner-StephenJ. Tomsky Assistant Examiner-John F. Gonzales Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [57] ABSTRACT An apparatusfor playing a stringed musical instrument, for example an electricguitar, the apparatus comprising at least one rotatable member adaptedfor location on the instrument adjacent a string, manually operablemeans adapted bodily to move the member into peripheral contact with itsadjacent string, and means for rotating the member when in suchperipheral contact. The rotating means is continuously driven in use ofthe apparatus. A plurality of rotatable members may be provided in theform of wheels which can be brought into engagement with respectivestrings and a single shaft continuously driven by an electric motor.

15 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSThe present invention relates to apparatus for playing stringed musicalinstruments.

It has been found desirable to provide apparatus with which a continuousnote can be obtained from a musical instrument, for example an electricguitar. Electronic arrangements have been produced but have been tooexpensive for general application.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus forplaying a stringed musical instrument comprising at least one rotatablemember adapted for location on the instrument adjacent a string,manually operable means adapted bodily to move the member intoperipheral contact with its adjacent string, and means for rotating themember when in such peripheral contact, the rotating means beingcontinuously driven in use of the apparatus.

Preferably, the or each rotatable member comprises a wheel supported byan arm which is resilient or pivotal about a supporting member.

Preferably, the rotating means comprises a single shaft arranged to becontinuously rotated by an electric motor to which it is mechanicallycoupled. An individual rotatable member may be provided for each stringof the instrument and each member may be driven by the single shaft whenin contact with its respective string. In the case of electricalinstruments, for example electric guitars, it is necessary toelectrically screen the electric motor to prevent the magnetic fields itgenerates affecting the pick-ups of the guitar and thereby generatingundesirable noise. This can be achieved by enclosing the motor in aconductive casing of for example mu-metal.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cut-away perspective view of one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a component of the FIG. 1 embodiment to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 shows a cut-away perspective view of a further embodiment; and

FIG. 4 shows a similar view to FIG. 3, further components of theembodiment having been removed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus illustrated comprises a frameschematically indicated by two side plates 1, 2 and cross-bars 3, 4. Itwill be appreciated that the frame merely forms a support and may beformed in any manner suitable for this function. A rubbersurfaced shaft5 is rotatably mounted between the plates and in use is drivencontinuously by means of a pulley 6 mechanically coupled by a belt 7 toa batterydriven electric motor (not shown).

Six arms 8 (one in respect of each string of a guitar to which theapparatus is adapted to be fitted) are slidably mounted on asquare-section cross-member 9 to which they can be secured by screws 10.Each arm comprises a plastics bracket 11 and a plastics lever 12connected by a strip of spring steel 13 to which they are moulded.

Each arm 8 supports a wheel 14 rotatably mounted on a hub 15. The wheelcomprises a disc 16 the peripheral edge 17 of which has a rubber surfaceand a hollow cylindrical extension 18 coaxial with the axis of rotationof the wheel. The edge 19 of the extension 18 is toothed.

The wheel 14 is supported by a coil spring 20 secured in the lever 12 bya screw 21 and secured in the hub 15 by being screwed into a threadedbore and/or being held by a screw (not shown) extending through thewheel 14 and acting as a pivot pin therefore.

In use, the frame is secured to an instrument with the shaft 5transverse to the strings thereof, preferably on resilient mountings andadvantageously on mountings which permit the fine adjustment of itsposition both parallel to and transverse to the strings. When sosecured, the positions of the arms 8 on the cross-member 9 are adjustedso that the toothed edges 19 of the wheels are located above respectivestrings of the instrument. The shaft 5 is then driven continuously, andthe apparatus can be used.

When a lever 12 is depressed so that it contacts the cross-bar 3, therespective wheel 14 moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 andits edge 17 is pressed into contact with the shaft 5, and the toothededge 19 is pressed against the respective string. The contact betweenthe shaft 5 and edge 17 causes the wheel to rotate and the teeth on theedge 19 thus run against the string. A substantially continuous note isthus produced. The flexibility of the strip 13, and in particular theflexibility of the spring 20, prevent the effect of the wheel 14 on thestring being unduly harsh. Furthermore, when the wheel 14 contacts theshaft 5 it tends to be twisted slightly ensuring contact between thestring and the toothed edge 19.

The position of the cross-bar 3, which acts as a stop for the levers 12,may advantageously be vertically adjustable (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the illustrated embodiment comprises aframe having two side plates 22, 23 linked by five parallel cross-bars24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. A splined shaft 29 (FIG. 4) is rotatably mountedbetween the plates 22, 23 and in use is continuously driven by aconstant-speed mains-powered motor (not shown) via a cog 30.

Six levers 32 are pivotal about cross-bar 26 from a first position inwhich they abut cross-bar 27 to a second position in which they abutcross-bar 28, and means (not shown) are provided to bias each lever 31towards the said first position. Six brackets 32, which each support apair of parallel limbs 33, are slidably mounted on the cross-bar 25.Means, for example screws (not shown), are provided for locking thebrackets 33 on the cross-bar 25. The limbs of each bracket 33 receivebetween them a respective lever 31 and the transverse position of eachlever 31 can thus be independently adjusted. The cross-bar 26 passes ina sliding fit through each limb 33 of each bracket 32.

Each lever 31 supports a limb 34 on which a wheel 35 is rotatablymounted. Each wheel 35 is rotatable about an axis parallel to thecross-bars and is provided with radially-extending teeth 36 adapted tomesh with the shaft 29 when its respective lever 31 is pivoted to thesaid second position. Each wheel 35 also supports an annular array ofaxially extending teeth 37.

In use, the illustrated embodiment is securely fixed over the strings ofa six-string electric guitar, the crossbars being arranged substantiallyperpendicular to the general direction of the strings. The position ofthe individual brackets 32 on the cross-bar 25 is then adjusted so thatthe teeth 37 of each wheel 35 contact a respective string when therespective lever 31 is pivoted to the said second position. When a lever31 is so pivoted, the teeth 36 of the wheel 35 which it supports meshwith the splined shaft 29 which is continuously rotated. As a result,the wheel 35 also rotates at a constant rate, and the respective stringis plucked by the axially-extending teeth 37. A continuous note is thusproduced.

In both of the described embodiments, the electric motor (not shown) ispreferably electrically screened so that, when fitted to an electricguitar, the magnetic fields it generates do not affect the pick-ups ofthe guitar. The screening may for example take the form of a box ofmu-metal which encloses the motor.

A cover is preferably provided from which the levers project to permituse of the apparatus. The edge of such a cover could be used as analternative to the cross-bar 27 of FIG. 3 which acts as an upper leverstop.

Such a cover may be slidable with respect to the frame so as to coverthe levers and prevent their depression when it is not desired to usethe apparatus. Alternatively a locking device may be provided which whenactuated prevents the depression of the levers.

' An additional lever may be provided the depression of which depresseseach of the other levers. This would facilitate the playing of chords.

It will be appreciated that, although in the illustrated secondembodiment the wheels 35 rotate only when brought into contact withshaft 29 an arrangement could be provided in which the wheels were onarms independantly pivotable about the axis of the shaft so that thewheels rotated continuously.

It will also be appreciated that the arm and wheel arrangement maycomprise a flexible arm on which a rotatable wheel is rigidly mounted ora rigid arm on which a rotatable wheel is spring-mounted.

It will be further appreciated that the guitar can be played eithernormally, or with the aid of the illustrated embodiments. The playingapparatus can be located adjacent the bridge of the guitar so that it inno way obstructs normal playing. Furthermore, the playing apparatus maybe mounted so as to be movable to an inoperative position when it is notrequired. Of course, the use of the frets to adjust the effective lengthof strings is in no way restricted by the playing apparatus.

Any suitable materials may be used for fabricating the components of thepresent invention, for example plastics, nylon, or metal. Preferably,the wheels and in particular the string-engaging teeth thereof arefabricated from nylon. The wheels may be provided with a resilientstring-engaging surface as an alternative to the string-engaging teeth.

The number of the string-engaging teeth on the wheels may be varied asdesired to adjust the playing quality, as may the diameter of the circlewhich they define. Also, the rates of rotation of the wheels need not bethe same. In certain circumstances for example the wheels may bearranged to rotate faster for high frequency strings than low frequencystrings.

Means may be provided to stop the drive when the playing apparatus isnot required.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for playing a stringed musical instrument comprising: atleast one rotatable member adapted for location on the instrumentadjacent a string; a rotatable shaft having its axis located transverseto the strings and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of theat least one rotatable member; means to continuously rotate therotatable shaft; and manually operable means adapted bodily to move therotatable member into peripheral contact with its adjacent string andthe rotatable shaft such that the shaft causes said member to rotate.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotatable membercomprises a rotatable wheel supported on an arm.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wheel comprises adisc and an extension from the disc coaxial with the axis of rotation ofthe wheel, the wheel being supported so that an end surface of theextension can be moved into contact with the adjacent string while theperipheral edge of the disc is engaged by the rotating means.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said end surface ofthe extension is toothed.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arm is resilient.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the arm comprises a stripof spring steel.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arm is rigid andpivotal about a supporting member.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arm is movablysecured to a cross-member to permit adjustment of its position relativeto its adjacent string.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wheel is resilientlysupported on its arm.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wheel is connectedto its arm by a spring.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means tocontinuously rotate the rotatable shaft comprises an electric motor.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the rotatable memberisprovided with a surface which is brought into contact with a surface ofthe shaft when the rotatable member is brough into peripheral contactwith its adjacent string.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of thesaid surfaces is resilient.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein both the said surfacesare provided with matching teeth.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the motor is batterydriven.

1. An apparatus for playing a stringed musical instrument comprising: atleast one rotatable member adapted for location on the instrumentadjacent a string; a rotatable shaft having its axis located transverseto the strings and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of theat least one rotatable member; means to continuously rotate therotatable shaft; and manually operable means adapted bodily to move therotatable member into peripheral contact with its adjacent string andthe rotatable shaft such that the shaft causes said member to rotate. 2.An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotatable membercomprises a rotatable wheel supported on an arm.
 3. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the wheel comprises a disc and an extensionfrom the disc coaxial with the axis of rotation of the wheel, the wheelbeing supported so that an end surface of the extension can be movedinto contact with the adjacent string while the peripheral edge of thedisc is engaged by the rotating means.
 4. An apparatus As claimed inclaim 3, wherein the said end surface of the extension is toothed.
 5. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arm is resilient.
 6. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the arm comprises a strip ofspring steel.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arm isrigid and pivotal about a supporting member.
 8. An apparatus as claimedin claim 2, wherein the arm is movably secured to a cross-member topermit adjustment of its position relative to its adjacent string.
 9. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wheel is resilientlysupported on its arm.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, whereinthe wheel is connected to its arm by a spring.
 11. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the means to continuously rotate therotatable shaft comprises an electric motor.
 12. An apparatus as claimedin claim 11 wherein the rotatable member is provided with a surfacewhich is brought into contact with a surface of the shaft when therotatable member is brough into peripheral contact with its adjacentstring.
 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one ofthe said surfaces is resilient.
 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12,wherein both the said surfaces are provided with matching teeth.
 15. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the motor is battery driven.